The 69th Montana Legislature concluded with major decisions on property tax relief and a $16.6 billion state budget for the next two years. The House voted 96-4 to adjourn after approving tax bills aiding homeowners, despite protests from refineries and business groups. The Senate session wrapped up amid Republican leadership criticism of a coalition of moderate Republicans and Democrats, supported by Gov. Greg Gianforte, which backed both property tax relief and Medicaid expansion.
Initially, the Senate split over punitive committee assignments and further divided during an ethics investigation of former President Jason Ellsworth. Ellsworth faced censure and a lifetime ban from the Senate floor after awarding $170,100 in contracts to an associate, leading to time-consuming ethics hearings. Ending the session required two Senate votes, with the first vote blocked by the “D+9” group attempting to fund bridge repairs through taxes on out-of-state luxury vehicles.
Republican leaders expressed dissatisfaction with the results, as Senate Majority Leader Tom McGillvray highlighted a new judicial review system. The Legislature achieved bipartisan support on property tax relief and successfully passed a $278 million income tax cut, Montana’s largest. However, only a few of the 27 bills limiting judicial power passed, and the party label for judicial races didn’t succeed.
Democrats, buoyed by increased representation, advanced key priorities like Medicaid expansion and education funding. The STARS Act, a $100 million initiative to raise starting teacher pay, received strong bipartisan support. House Minority Leader Katie Sullivan celebrated health policy achievements and criticized the time spent on bills opposing LGBTQ+ rights, although she acknowledged some influence on the overall budget.
House Majority Leader Steve Fitzpatrick emphasized the necessity of compromise in the legislative process, while Senate Republicans spent extensive time crafting judicial reform bills. Despite efforts, the Medicaid expansion program, backed by diverse groups, passed with support from both parties and was signed into law by the governor without much public ceremony.
Montana lawmakers remain vigilant regarding potential federal budget cuts impacting state programs, with Democratic leaders anticipating a possible special session if economic conditions worsen.
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